Electro-flueric valve

ABSTRACT

A flueric device for channeling fluids into one of three outlet passageways in response to an electrical command. A chamber having three outlet channels is bisected by a metal leaf which is responsive to an electromagnetic command. Two fluid inputs at right angles to each other supply fluid input to the chamber. When no current is applied to the electromagnetic control of the metal leaf, fluid exits only from the center channel. If the electromagnetic control causes the leaf to bend toward one side of the chamber or the other, fluid will exit via one of the side channels or the other.

United States Patent Dewey P. Ankeney [72] Inventor China Lake, Calif. [21 Appl, No. 826,944 7 [22] Filed May 22, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 19, 1971 [73] Assignee the United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy [54] ELECTRO-FLUERIC VALVE 5 Claims, 2 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 137/8l.5, 1 235/201 [51] Int. Cl FlSc 3/00 [50] Field olSearch ..137/81.5;-

235/201m.c., sens pf,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,187,762 6/1965 Norwood 137/81.5 3,238,959 3/1966 Bowlesm. 137/81.5 3,366,131 1/1968 Swartz 137/8.15

Primary Examiner-Samuel Scott AttorneysEdgar J. Brower and Roy Miller ABSTRACT: A flueric device for channeling fluids into one of three outlet passageways in response to an electrical com- 7 mand. A chamber having three outlet channels is bisected by a metal leaf which is responsive to an electromagnetic command. Two fluid inputs at right angles to each other supply fluid input to the chamber. When no current is applied to the electromagnetic control of the metal leaf, fluid exits only from the center channel. If the electromagnetic control causes the leaf to bend toward one side of the chamber or the other, fluid will exit via one of the side channels or the other.

'PATENIED- m 9 971;

F'IG,

I F|G.-2.

I INVEN'IDR. DEWEY P. ANKENEY BY ROY MlLLER ATTORNEY.

stscrrao-rwnmc VALVE GOVERNMENT INTEREST The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is desirable that the power stream of a fluid amplifier respond to electrical signals. In prior devices, the power stream has been controlled by operating solenoidal electrical SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention a leaf spring constructed of a magnetic material is disposed to bisect two orthogonal fluid power streams. When the system is at rest the leaf is centered by its spring action as well as by .the equal hydrodynamic forces created by equal diversion of the two impinging streams. When the system is energized by. either of two electromagnets, the leaf is deflected until one of the impinging streams no longer intersects the leaf.

The unbalanced force, created by the deflected spring and the stream which no longer bisects the leaf, counterbalances the force created by the attracting magnet so that the system reaches one of its states of stable switched position. The

impinging fluid streams are now directed down one of the side channels.

If the other electromagnet is energized and the leaf switched to the opposite side stable switched position, the fluid streams will exit via the opposite side channel. When no current is applied to the leaf, fluid always exits via the center channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a plan view of the electroflueric valve; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the electroflueric valve of FIG. 1 in which the leaf is deflected to one side to cause fluid to exit via a side channel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Power nozzles 13a and 13b issue power streams 16a and 11 is deflected so that it intercepts the whole diameter of power stream 16a and none of the diameter of power stream 16b. The unbalanced force, created by deflected spring II and power stream which intercepts leaf ll, counterbalanccs the force created by electromagnet 12a so that the system reaches one of its states of stable switched position. Fluid now exits via outlet channel 15a. Similarly, if electromagnet 12h were energized, leaf 11 would intercept all of power stream 6b and none of power stream 16a. FIUld woul then exit via outlet channel 150. v

The valve is digital in that once fluid starts to flow the rate of flow will not increase no matter how far leaf ll moves to one side or the other. v A partial vacuum 14 is created within chamber 10 as shown in FIG. 1. Thus as leaf 11 starts its travel to either side it is helped along by partial vacuum 14 thereby reducing the power needed to achieve switching.

lclaim:

1. An electroflueric control device comprising:

a first power nozzle for issuing a first fluid power stream; a second power noule for issuing a second fluid power stream;

at least two outlet channels for receiving the first and second power streams;

a resilient member disposed between the first and second power nozzles, so that said member intercepts approximately one-half the diameter of the first and second power streams, and fluid exits via the first outlet channel; and

means adjacent to the resilient member for moving said member, so that when said member intercepts approximately the full diameter of the first power stream and does not intercept the second power stream. fluid exits ,via the second outlet channel.

2. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim I wherein: the first fluid, power stream intercepts the second fluid power stream orthogonally.

3. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 2 wherein:

the resilient member is magnetic; and

electromagnetic means are used for moving said member.

4. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 3 wherein: power stream flow is stable in the second outlet channel by virtue of a fixed wall disposed between the intersection of the fluid streams and the second outlet channel to create a reduced pressure region adjacent to the intersection of the fluid streams.

5. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein:

there are three outlet channels for receiving the first and second power streams;

the resilient member is disposed between the first and second power nozzles, so that when said member intercepts approximately one-half the diameter of the first and second power streams, fluid exits via the center (first) outlet channel; and the member is capable of movement; so that r I when said member intercepts approximately the full diameter of the first power stream and does not intercept the second power stream, fluid exits via one of the side (second) outlet channels; and

when said member intercepts approximately the full diameterof the second power stream and does not intercept the first power stream, fluid exitsvia the other side outlet channel. 

1. An electroflueric control device comprising: a first power nozzle for issuing a first fluid power stream; a second power nozzle for issuing a second fluid power stream; at least two outlet channels for receiving the first and second power streams; a resilient member disposed between the first and second power nozzles, so that said member intercepts approximately one-half the diameter of the first and second power streams, and fluid exits via the first outlet channel; and means adjacent to the resilient member for moving said member, so that when said member intercepts approximately the full diameter of the first power stream and does not intercept the second power stream, fluid exits via the second outlet channel.
 2. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 1 wherein: the first fluid power stream intercepts the second fluid power stream orthogonally.
 3. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 2 wherein: the resilient member is magnetic; and electromagnetic means are used for moving said member.
 4. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 3 wherein: power stream flow is stable in the second outlet channel by virtue of a fixed wall disposed between the intersection of the fluid streams and the second outlet channel to create a reduced pressure region adjacent to the intersection of the fluid streams.
 5. An electroflueric control device as set forth in claim 4 wherein: there are three outlet channels for receiving the first and second power streams; the resilient member is disposed between the first and second power nozzles, so that when said member intercepts approximately one-half the diameter of the first and second power streams, fluid exits via the center (first) outlet channel; and the member is capable of movement; so that when said member intercepts approximately the full diameter of the first power stream and does not intercept the second power stream, fluid exits via one of the side (second) outlet channels; and when said member intercepts approximately the full diameter of the second power stream and does not intercept the first power stream, fluid exits via the other side outlet channel. 